Self-Rescue Ice Safety Awl

ABSTRACT

An article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl includes a handle, a threaded cap having internal threading mating with the handle threading for coupling to the handle to enclose the hollow cavity, an o-ring between the threaded cap and the handle about the hollow cavity, a first magnet coupled to the handle about the threaded hole, a spike having a threaded end and a spike end, the threaded end couples the spike within the threaded hole having the spike end extending below the handle, a wearable sheath for enclosing the ice safety awl and spike, and a retaining band coupled to opposing sides of the wearable sheath for coupling the ice safety awl to a user. The wearable sheath includes a wearable sheath pocket in a top end of the wearable sheath, a drain hole between the wearable sheath pocket and the bottom end of the wearable sheath, and a second magnet about an opening of the second recessed cavity at an inner end of the wearable sheath pocket, and the second magnet being oriented with a magnetic pole to attract the first magnet when the handle is inserted into the wearable sheath pocket and the spike is inserted into the drain hole. The handle includes handle threading about a top end, a hollow cavity within the handle about the handle threading, and a threaded hole in a bottom end of the handle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a winter safety aid, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture providing a self-rescue ice safety awl.

BACKGROUND

Frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers present dangers of many types to individuals who work or play in cold and snowy winter environments. These individuals may need a safety device to be used in the event of a person falling through the ice to aid them in pulling themselves back-up on the ice to safety. Such a device requires sharp points being put in a sheath protecting the user from accidental punctures, scratches, and related injuries. The device needs to be accessible to a user such as locating an awl on the bicep or forearm area for ease of reach while permitting the user to hold him or herself up on the ice edge with one arm and allowing use of the device with the other hand. The device should remain securely retained within a sleeve for the safety of users and others while preventing loss of the device before it is needed. Lastly, the device needs to be buoyant such that it remains accessible should a user inadvertently drop the device while in cold, icy water. Existing devices fail to meet many if not most of these requirements.

Therefore, a need exists for an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl. The present invention attempts to address the limitations and deficiencies in prior solutions according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing an article of manufacture for a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the principles and example embodiments disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl. The self-rescue ice safety awl includes a handle, a threaded cap having internal threading mating with the handle threading for coupling to the handle to enclose the hollow cavity, an o-ring between the threaded cap and the handle about the hollow cavity, a first magnet coupled to the handle about the threaded hole, a spike having a threaded end and a spike end, the threaded end couples the spike within the threaded hole having the spike end extending below the handle, a wearable sheath for enclosing the ice safety awl and spike, and a retaining band coupled to opposing sides of the wearable sheath for coupling the ice safety awl to a user. The wearable sheath includes a wearable sheath pocket in a top end of the wearable sheath, a drain hole between the wearable sheath pocket and the bottom end of the wearable sheath, and a second magnet about an opening of the second recessed cavity at an inner end of the wearable sheath pocket, and the second magnet being oriented with a magnetic pole to attract the first magnet when the handle is inserted into the wearable sheath pocket and the spike is inserted into the drain hole. The handle includes handle threading about a top end, a hollow cavity within the handle about the handle threading, and a threaded hole in a bottom end of the handle.

In another aspect of the present invention, the wearable sheath pocket is sized to enclose a lower portion of the handle when the spike is inserted into the drain hole.

In another aspect of the present invention, the drain hole is sized to enclose the spike when the handle is within the wearable sheath pocket.

In another aspect of the present invention, the handle and wearable sheath is made of plastic.

In another aspect of the present invention, the spike is made of steel.

In another aspect of the present invention, surfaces are textured on handle and the threaded cap.

In another aspect of the present invention, the retaining band is stretchable and is made of an elastic material.

In another aspect of the present invention, the retaining band is coupled to an adjustable buckle or hook and loop to alter the length of the retaining band.

In another aspect of the present invention, the o-ring creates a water-tight seal between the threaded cap and the hollow cavity within the handle.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hollow cavity being large enough to hold one or more items comprising: a tools, a lighter, afire starter, and a small flashlight

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features that are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a wearable self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wearable sheath securing an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for providing a snow and ice safety aid, and more specifically, to an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

In describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terminology will be used. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and “including” specify the presence of stated features, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions and acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality and acts involved.

The terms “worker” and “user” refer to an entity, e.g., a human, using a self-rescue ice safety awl associated with the invention. The term user herein refers to one or more users.

The term “invention” or “present invention” refers to the invention being applied for via the patent application with the title “Self-Rescue Ice Safety Awl.” Invention may be used interchangeably with awl.

In general, the present disclosure relates to an article of manufacture providing a self-rescue ice safety awl. To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of an article of manufacture for providing a wearable self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention. A self-rescue ice safety awl 101 is enclosed within a wearable sheath 103 that may be secured around a user's arm. A stretchable retaining band 102 attaches to both sides of the wearable sheath 103 so that it may be placed around a part of a user to make the awl 101 easily available when needed. The awl 101 may be easily pulled from the wearable sheath 103 when needed and be re-inserted into the sheath 103 when use of the awl 101 is complete.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention. The awl 101 is shown having a handle 403 and a metal spike 405 extending out of the bottom of the handle 403. The spike 405 is inserted into the sheath 103 for safe keeping when not us use. The spike 405 has a sharp point at its lower end opposite the handle 403 for driving into the ice to create a secure hold.

The awl 101 is sized to allow the handle 403 to fit within a closed hand with the spike 405 extending outward from the user. The handle 403 may possess a textured surface to increase a user's grip on the awl 101 when held while wearing gloves. In the example embodiment of FIG. 2 , the awl 101 is made of plastic or similar material and has a diamond shaped pattern of grooves across the awl 101 to create the textured surface. Other patterns and texturing methods also may be used.

FIG. 3 illustrates a wearable sheath securing an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention. The wearable sheath 103 is shown having the retaining band 102 attached through a pair of adjustment slots in the sides of the sheath 103. The retaining band 102 may be made of an elastic material that easily stretches to insert a user's arm into the retaining band 102. The retaining band 102 may be a closed loop of elastic material. In other embodiments, the retaining band 102 may comprise a band material that is secured by an adjustable buckle (not shown) that shortens the length of the retaining band 102 to attach the sheath 103 to a user. One possible buckle that may be used with the band material to construct the retaining band 102 is a cam buckle or similar mechanical securing device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of an article of manufacture for providing a self-rescue ice safety awl according to the present invention. A cut-away view of the awl 101 that is inserted into a cut-away view of the sheath 103 is presented to illustrate the components making up the device. The awl 101 is made with a threaded cap 402 attached to a mated threaded end at the top end of a handle 403. The top portion of the handle 403 is shown to include a hollow cavity 411 that may be accessed by removing the threaded cap 402 from the handle 403. An O-ring 401 may be included within the threaded handle 402 to create a seal between the threaded cap 402 and the handle 403 about the hollow cavity 411. The O-ring 401 is held within a recessed groove within the threaded cap 402 and configured to be placed along a top surface of the handle 402 around an opening into the hollow cavity 411. As the threaded cap 402 is tightened onto the handle 403, the O-ring 401 is pressed against the top surface of the handle 403 to create a water-tight seal between the hollow cavity 411 and the outside environment. The user may store items such as tools, lighter, fire starter, and small flashlight, within the cavity for use while out in the wintery environment without fear of the items becoming wet from melting ice and snow.

The bottom end of the handle 403 is a solid material having a threaded hole 412 upward from the bottom surface of the handle 403. The threaded hole 412 is sized to accept the spike 405 that possesses a threaded upper end permitting the spike 405 to be securely attached within the handle 403. A first magnet 404 surrounds the threaded hole and the spike 405 is a recessed cavity into the bottom surface of the handle 403 allowing the magnet 404 to be positioned flush with the bottom surface of the handle 403.

The sheath 103 surrounds the awl 101 when it is inserted therein. The sheath 103 is a plastic or similar material that is sized to be slightly larger than the handle 403 of the awl 101. The retaining band 102 passes through two slots 421 within the sheath 103. A recessed cavity located in a bottom of sheath pocket 422 for placement of a second magnet 407. The sheath pocket 422 is sized and shaped to match an outside profile of the handle 403 to allow the awl 101 to be placed firmly within the sheath pocket 422.

A drain hole 406 is drilled in the center of the sheath pocket 422 running downward through a solid bottom portion of the sheath 103. The drain hole 406 is sized and positioned to permit the spike 405 to be placed entirely within the drain hole 406. The drain hole 406 is longer than an exposed portion of the spike 405 such that when the awl 101 is inserted into the sheath 103 and the handle 403 is fully inserted in the sheath 103 pocket 422, the sharp point of the spike 405 remains within the drain hole 406 to prevent accidental injury to the user or other individuals. The drain hole 406 continues downward until it exits the sheath 103 to permit any melting snow and ice on the awl 101 and spike 405 to drain out of the sheath 103 pocket 422 and drain hole 405 and not remain within the sheath 103.

A second magnet 407 surrounds the drain hole 406 and is recessed into the sheath 103 at the bottom of the wearable sheath pocket 422 permitting the second magnet 414 to be flush with the bottom surface of the sheath pocket 422. The second magnet 407 is sized and placed to mate with the first magnet 413 when the awl is inserted into the wearable sheath 103 and the bottom surface of the handle 403 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the wearable sheath 103 pocket 422. The first magnet 404 and the second magnet 407 are configured to align their respective magnetic poles to form a combined magnetic force that holds the pair of magnets 413-414 to each other while retaining the awl 101 within the wearable sheath 103. When the pair of magnets 404, 407 are magnetically coupled together, the awl 101 is anchored within the sheath 103 pocket 422 of the sheath 103 until enough force is applied to pull the awl 101 upward to overcome the combined magnetic force holding the magnets 404, 407 in place.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the present application, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the invention. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in this application. In other words, any of the features mentioned in this application may be included to this new invention in any combination or combinations to allow the functionality required for the desired operations.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of manufacture providing a self-rescue ice safety awl, the article comprises: an ice safety awl, the ice safety awl comprises: a handle having handle threading about a top end, a hollow cavity within the handle about the handle threading, and a threaded hole in a bottom end of the handle; a threaded cap having internal threading mating with the handle threading for coupling to the handle to enclose the hollow cavity; an o-ring between the threaded cap and the handle about the hollow cavity; a first magnet coupled to the handle about the threaded hole; a spike having a threaded end and a spike end, the threaded end couples the spike within the threaded hole having the spike end extending below the handle; a wearable sheath for enclosing the ice safety awl and spike, the wearable sheath comprises: a wearable sheath pocket in a top end of the wearable sheath; a drain hole between the wearable sheath pocket and the bottom end of the wearable sheath; and a second magnet about an opening of the second recessed cavity at an inner end of the wearable sheath pocket, the second magnet being oriented with a magnetic pole to attract the first magnet when the handle is inserted into the wearable sheath pocket and the spike is inserted into the drain hole; and a retaining band coupled to opposing sides of the wearable sheath for coupling the ice safety awl to a user.
 2. The ice safety awl according to claim 1, wherein the wearable sheath pocket is sized to enclose a lower portion of the handle when the spike is inserted into the drain hole.
 3. The ice safety awl according to claim 2, wherein the drain hole is sized to enclose the spike when the handle is within the wearable sheath pocket.
 4. The ice safety awl according to claim 1, wherein the handle and wearable sheath is made of plastic.
 5. The ice safety awl according to claim 4, wherein the spike is made of steel.
 6. The ice safety awl according to claim 1, wherein a diamond shaped pattern of grooves are cut across the handle and the threaded cap to create the textured surface.
 7. The ice safety awl according to claim 1, wherein the retaining band is stretchable and is made of an elastic material.
 8. The ice safety awl according to claim 7, wherein the retaining band is coupled to an adjustable buckle to alter the length of the retaining band.
 9. The ice safety awl according to claim 1, wherein the o-ring creates a water-tight seal between the threaded cap and the hollow cavity within the handle.
 10. The ice safety awl according to claim 9, wherein the hollow cavity being large enough to hold one or more items comprising: a tools, a lighter, afire starter, and a small flashlight. 